desesperadamente
“desesperadamente” means “desperately” in Spanish (in a way that shows a loss of hope or extreme urgency).
desperately
Also: frantically, hopelessly
📝 In Action
Ella buscaba sus llaves desesperadamente porque llegaba tarde.
A2She was looking for her keys desperately because she was running late.
El hombre gritó desesperadamente pidiendo ayuda.
B1The man shouted desperately for help.
Necesito un vaso de agua desesperadamente.
A2I desperately need a glass of water.
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: desesperadamente
Question 1 of 2
Which of these best describes 'desesperadamente'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Spanish adjective 'desesperada' (the female version of 'desperate') combined with the ending '-mente'. It traces back to the Latin 'desperare', which means 'to be without hope'.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is it different from 'desesperado'?
Yes! 'Desesperado' is an adjective used to describe a person (e.g., a desperate man), while 'desesperadamente' is an adverb used to describe an action (e.g., to run desperately).
Can it be used for positive things?
Not usually. It almost always carries a sense of distress, urgency, or lack of hope.